Wayne Ellington said he's staying ready to play despite picking up several DNP-CDs.

"It’s been tough," Ellington said. "Obviously, I’m a competitor at the end of the day. I want to be out there. I feel like I can help our team, of course. It’s been a situation that’s been tough for me. But guys have been great, keeping my mind right, keeping me upbeat." The Heat have shortened their rotation lately and Ellington and Dion Waiters have been the odd men out. With an expiring contract and a resume as one of the NBA's best 3-point shooters, he'll have a market if the Heat make him available. Jan 7 - 11:27 AM

"I don’t think I ate anything out of the ordinary," Ellington said prior to the game, "so it must be something that's going around." He needed an IV for fluids and both Udonis Haslem and James Johnson were also dealing with illness tonight, so hopefully it doesn't spread to other players. Ellington simply isn't a fantasy option, especially with Dion Waiters reportedly targeting a return this week. He was technically available tonight, though, so we're taking him off the injury report. Sun, Dec 30, 2018 08:57:00 PM

Player Related News

"He's making me play him. With his minutes, it's tough to take him out," said Spoelstra of Jones Jr. "And I can't say I'm surprised about it, because I want to be open to his development and not put him in a box, but allow opportunities to be earned and he's taking full advantage of it." Dion Waiters making his season debut on Wednesday will only further complicate the backcourt rotation in Miami, but for now, Ellington has been resigned to collecting DNP-CDs while Jones Jr. has emerged as a potential deep-league pickup.

Dwyane Wade (illness) did not attend shootaround and is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Cavs.

It wouldn't be all that shocking to see Wade skip a game against the 8-29 Cavs, and if that's the case, Josh Richardson and Tyler Johnson would be in line for heavy minutes while Wayne Ellington could return to the rotation. Check back for another update closer to tip-off.

Justise Winslow (ankle) is questionable to play Thursday against the Rockets.

Winslow was unable to practice on Tuesday and Wednesday, so he should be considered a bit closer to doubtful for Thursday's game. If he's out, Wayne Ellington would likely return to the rotation, and there would be more minutes for guys like Derrick Jones Jr. and Dwyane Wade. Check back for another update following Thursday's shootaround.

Dwyane Wade (illness) is questionable for Friday's game vs. the Grizzlies.

We may have to wait until Coach Spo addresses the media pregame before we have a definitive update on Wade's status this evening. If Wade is unable to suit up, Wayne Ellington, Rodney McGruder and Tyler Johnson will likely soak up additional minutes.

Goran Dragic (sore right knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game in Utah.

Not good. Dragic just returned from an eight-game absence after having his right knee drained, and took a rest day last Saturday, so it's concerning that the 32-year-old point guard just can't seem to shake this knee issue (he lasted just 18 minutes on Monday). It'll either be Tyler Johnson or Wayne Ellington getting the start in his place tonight, and Josh Richardson will spend more time running the offense.

Tyler Johnson (right hamstring) will be available to play Tuesday against the Magic.

Johnson will be returning from a six-game absence tonight, which could translate to fewer minutes for Wayne Ellington and Dwyane Wade. He could see some decent opportunity with Goran Dragic (knee) still out, so he's on the radar as a speculative grab in deep leagues.

Tyler Johnson (right hamstring) did not practice on Thursday and will miss at least the next three games for Miami.

Johnson will miss the next week of games, and he'll be re-evaluated sometime next week, but with just late-round value on the year he's not really worth clinging to if you don't have an open IR-spot. Wayne Ellington and Dwyane Wade will continue to see extra minutes while he's out.

Goran Dragic (knee) and Tyler Johnson (hamstring) are being listed as out for Tuesday's game against the Hawks.

We haven't received any word of either of these guys getting through any recent practices, so neither guy seems all that close. Josh Richardson, Wayne Ellington and Dwyane Wade will continue to pick up the slack while these guys are out, and both Wade and Ellington are worth a look in most leagues. The Heat play again on Friday against the Pelicans, and for now, we'll consider Dragic and Johnson questionable for that one.

Tyler Johnson (hamstring) will not travel with the Heat for their upcoming two-game road trip.

Hamstring injuries can be tricky, so Johnson's absence could extend beyond Sunday. He was playing really well prior to going down, but with just late-round value on the year, he's not really worth clinging to if you don't have an open IR-spot. Josh Richardson and Wayne Ellington will log heavy minutes while he's out.

Derrick Jones Jr. will replace Justise Winslow in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Nets.

Erik Spoelstra probably wants another ball handler in the second unit with Goran Dragic (knee) and Tyler Johnson (hamstring) out for this one, so that could explain the move. Joining Airplane Mode in the starting five will be Josh Richardson, Wayne Ellington, Rodney McGruder and Hassan Whiteside.

Wade has been away from the team for nearly two weeks following the birth of his daughter. He was originally listed as "out" for Tuesday's contest but is back with the Heat. He will probably see only limited minutes off the bench initially, as he works his way back into game shape. Rodney McGruder and Wayne Ellington will see their playing time reduced with D Wade back in the mix.

Goran Dragic had his right knee drained on Monday and will sit out the next three games for Miami.

"We knew it wasn’t serious but we knew it was something that needed to be taken care of," said Erik Spoelstra. "Hopefully, we can take care of it and wipe it out right now." It's never a good sign for a 32-year-old to be dealing with knee issues this early in the season, and this is the same knee that cost Dragic time last season. Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington will be the primary beneficiaries while he's out, and Josh Richardson will spend more time running the offense.

Goran Dragic (knee) will not suit up for Sunday's game against the Lakers.

Dragic underwent an MRI on Sunday, and per Ira Winderman of South Florida Sun Sentinal, the Heat may consider giving Dragic an extended break based on those results. Wayne Ellington will likely return to the starting five today, with Josh Richardson sliding over to PG, and Tyler Johnson should see an uptick in minutes. Dragic owners can expect another update by Monday.

Wade is welcoming a new addition to his family, and the Heat will give him all the time he needs. Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington will pick up most of his minutes while he's out, with Johnson offering a bit more upside. Wade isn't necessarily worth hanging onto in 12-team leagues with 13-roster spots.

Goran Dragic (right knee) has been ruled out of Friday's game vs. the Pacers.

Dragic was a game-time decision on Wednesday but did not suit up. He was initially listed as questionable on the injury report for Friday, but he will miss his second straight contest. Fortunately, an MRI taken earlier in the week revealed no structural damage. On Wednesday, Josh Richardson slid over to PG and Wayne Ellington was bumped into the starting lineup. Both played over 37 minutes. Tyler Johnson logged 32 minutes off the bench. Expect a similar allotment of minutes distribution for these three on Friday.

Josh Richardson (left thigh contusion) was able to practice on Thursday.

He picked up the injury on Sept. 29 and has missed the first two preseason games, but it sounds like he's close to 100 percent. Richardson's name popped up in another Jimmy Butler trade rumor on Wednesday, but nothing is imminent and Richardson's value should be safe even if he's moved. Bam Adebayo (shoulder), Derrick Jones Jr. (shoulder) and Wayne Ellington (ankle) remained sidelined at practice.

Bam Adebayo (right shoulder) and Wayne Ellington (ankle) have been ruled out for Tuesday's preseason matchup with the Hornets.

This will be the second missed preseason game for the pair, and while Ellington's injury seems minor, it's unclear exactly how severe Adebayo's shoulder injury is. That said, we'd expect the Heat to exercise extreme caution this early in the year, so we wouldn't overreact to Adebayo missing the first few preseason games.

Dion Waiters (foot surgery) and James Johnson (sports hernia) will join these guys on the sidelines, so we could see a decent amount of Justise Winslow and Derrick Jones Jr. tonight. Head coach Erik Spoelstra said that Richardson was "totally fine" after suffering his thigh injury during Saturday's scrimmage, so his absence feels more precautionary than anything else.

Josh Richardson (shoulder) said there is a 60 percent chance that he will play in Game 5 on Tuesday night vs. the Sixers.

This is somewhat surprising, considering Richardson was able to play the second half of Game 4 (and finish with a franchise-record seven steals). In addition, it was reported after the game that J-Rich planned to play in Game 5. If Richardson is ruled out, it would be a major blow to Miami's chances. We likely won't have confirmation on his status until Coach Spoelstra speaks with reporters at approximately 6:30 pm. Dwyane Wade, Wayne Ellington and Rodney McGruder would see an uptick in minutes if Richardson is unable to play.

Goran Dragic (knee soreness) is doubtful to play Wednesday against the Raptors.

"We're going to be smart about this," head coach Erik Spoelstra said regarding Dragic dealing with soreness in his knee. It sounds like Dragic will be hit with a precautionary rest day on the eve of the postseason, which will result in more minutes for guys like Tyler Johnson, Dwyane Wade and Wayne Ellington. Derrick Walton Jr. or Rodney McGruder could start, but those guys rarely do much even when given the minutes.

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